Mangalore: Karnataka Lok Ayukta, Nitte Santhosh Hegde, who is on a home visit here and spoke to reporters on Saturday, signaled his acceptance of the Central (govt.) decision to appoint him as a member of the Joint Committee (civil and official) that would draft and finalise the Jan Lokpal Bill for the monsoon session of Parliament.
Earlier he had politely declined suggestion of social activist Annasaheb Hazare, to be the chairman of this Committee and suggested a retired Judge, while Hazare asked for a non-political member, (like Justice
). Hazare himself will be a member of the drafting committee.
Justice Hegde stated that authorities of Lokpal should have powers given to the police, in the new set up. Justice Verma’s name does not figure in the 10-member joint committee on the Bill. Justice Hegde said he would not be suitable to head the committee as he had many reports to prepare before he retired in August as Lokayukta in Bangalore. But he supported Hazare in his (Hazare’s) fight against a national corruption.